Students rise to 100% pass rate

STANDING TALL: Solway College students hold their Ka Hikitia awards before a kahikatea tree, from which their mentoring programme was named. The tree towers above a stand of native bush at the school. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Solway College students reaped the benefits of the Ka Hikitia mentoring scheme introduced at the Masterton school last year and scored a 100 per cent pass rate in 2013 NCEA Levels 2 and 3.

Year 13 Dean Sue Franck said there was a focus at Solway College "on each individual achieving to the best of their ability and the school is very proud of what students achieve".

"As part of the Making Excellence Happen programme, results and systems are constantly reviewed and last year the school introduced an academic mentoring programme, Ka Hikitia," Mrs Franck said. "Many students have gone on to gain merit and excellence endorsements in NCEA last year.

"The value of this (Ka Hikitia) programme is evident in the NCEA results with both Level 2 and 3 students achieving 100% pass rate in 2013."

The name was taken from the tallest tree gracing stands of native bush at Solway College, and also meant "rise to the challenge", she said.

Students participating in Ka Hikitia set challenging academic and personal targets.

Students who have made significant progress towards their goals receive recognition at weekly assemblies.